This morning, after I fed my gliders, I went threw and checked on everybody (call it a morning ritual). Well, when I got to Skeeter, something about him just didn't look right. I got him out of his cage and flipped him over to see a huge abcess on his gliding membrane. It's about 2 inches longs and .5 inches wide. He's scheduled to go to the vets at 1:30. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort. Please pray for my little man. I'll post pictures and an update as soon as I get back.
Re: Pray for Skeeter
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#76778 01/09/0603:14 PM01/09/0603:14 PM
Well, turns out, it's not an abcess per say... Skeeter isn't absorbing protein for some reason and has become sevearly anemic. His body has starting pulling fluid from his organs to fight the anemia. So far, all of his test have came back negivite for any bacterial or parasitic problem. My vet was also suprized to see that he is still eating a drinking well. He's on an iron suppliment and high protein diet for the next week to see if it helps any. If we can't get him anemia under control soon, he'll die <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
**My vet is guessing that this is caused by an in herited disorder of some type. More testing will be needed to say for sure... Right now, he doesn't have enough blood in his body that we can actually test him for anything <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76783 01/09/0607:53 PM01/09/0607:53 PM
aww Poor Skeeter! My prayers will be with him. Hopefully the high protien diet will do the trick.
May I ask what that diet consists of? With Reepicheep, I had him on BML but I added Wambaroo HPS to it. His hair was regrowing great until I ran out of the HPS about a month ago. (Waiting on new supply). If you and your vet have not already worked out a high protien diet, that might do the trick for Skeeter.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76784 01/09/0611:01 PM01/09/0611:01 PM
Oh no!! Prayers for Skeeter! Is there such a thing as a protein shot? (or liquid, pills, etc.) Eggs, big fat mealies, cottage cheese..
Teresa, can gliders have red meat at all? Steak has lots of protein!
Good Luck..please keep us posted. (((HUGS)))
Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76785 01/10/0612:29 AM01/10/0612:29 AM
My vet is pushing for animal protein... Tonight, Skeeter got a high protein cat food that my vet gave me, high protein ensure, mealies, and a vitamin suppliment that my vet gave me. Tomorrow, I'm going to try and pick up some pinky mice for him to eat... He looks so pittiful right now. His gliding membrane seems to be taking on most of the water, so it's distended and puffy. His face is also a little swollen and so are his back feet.
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76786 01/10/0601:07 AM01/10/0601:07 AM
Oh no! Please let me know how this goes. Even though his parents have pretty babies I will neuter Edgy if it is an inherited thing. His sister and oldest brother are all fine though. He is in our thoughts and prayers.
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76787 01/10/0601:23 AM01/10/0601:23 AM
Poor Skeeter.... Poor you.... I also have to agree go with some of the High Protein Wombaroo...I think TMarie carries it. The stuff is awesome leyna.
As for iron intake, some spinach would do really good. Helps build up iron quickly so do mustard and turnip greens but never tried those two with my gliders.
Pinkys are a real good source. I wouldnt really think giving red meat outside of baby chicks *which some petstores do sell frozen) and pinkies.
Gosh wish there was something we could do. but prayers will be going out to you all.
Skeeter ended up passing away today <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I've been doing research all day and I'm going to guess that he had some type of genetic defect that caused him to have problems absorbing protein. All of the signs of it were there, I just never realized that this could be a problem with gliders...
Early Signs: small size, trouble gaining weight, slow development/delayed sexual maturity (@ almost 8 months OOP, he still hadn't hit sexual maturity), irritablility
Last Signs: swollen back paws/ankles and face
Final Signs: swollen gliding membrane and abdomine, lethargic, loss of appitite
RIP my little Skeeter...
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76789 01/11/0601:50 AM01/11/0601:50 AM
Awe, I'm so sorry, Leyna. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Thank you for telling his story. I had never heard of this either. Did the vet just diagnose it from signs and symptoms? Where did you do your research, on the web, or do you have some really good glider books, or did you read about protien malabsorption in other animals and relate it to gliders?
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76790 01/11/0602:18 AM01/11/0602:18 AM
The vet diagnosed him based on symptoms mostly. She also did a UA and Fecals, but everything came back clean. I researched protein deficancies in other animals (including humans) and the symptoms are the same all across the board. He had the classic symptoms, unfortunately, I didn't realize that this could be a problem until it was way too late <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76791 01/11/0602:45 AM01/11/0602:45 AM
Leyna, I'm so sorry to hear of Skeeter's passing. Thank you for sharing with us. Take Care <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76794 01/11/0603:26 AM01/11/0603:26 AM
ooohhh Leyna <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> I am so sorry. I know how much it hurts. Skeeter is now with my Nickolas. Anne and Katey will look after him and take real good care of him.
Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76797 01/11/0609:46 AM01/11/0609:46 AM
I am truely sorry Leyna <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> He was such a pretty boy. I'm sorry for your loss. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76799 01/11/0604:22 PM01/11/0604:22 PM
Skeeter and I really bonded over his last 48 hours with me... I find comfort in knowning that he left felling very loved. He was such a spoiled little stinker, but he could be so sweet. I really miss him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76800 01/11/0604:29 PM01/11/0604:29 PM
I am so sorry you lost him Leyna. Are you going to have a necropsy done to see if anything shows up? I know that is a painful thought, but I also know how much you believe in helping other gliders anyway you can.
Prayers of comfort coming your way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
I decided against a necropsy on Skeeter. The last 2 I've had done have came back "Inconclusive". My vet thinks it's due to the long drive from my home to her office, during which, the gliders tissues start to break down... I've spend $300 on necropsies with no results and nobodies to bury. Skeeter is getting buried in my back yard at sunset tonight.
Re: Update on Skeeter
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#76802 01/11/0604:51 PM01/11/0604:51 PM
Oh, Leyna! I'm so sorry!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> That is just heartbreaking! I am sure the little man knew how much he was loved! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />